Arriving like the Viking hoards, the new Metal Hammer is invading shop shelves! Cover stars Amon Amarth tell us everything there is to know about combining Vikingism and heavy metal. And then how to own it!

We speak to Slipknot and Machine from their recent world-beating tour. The Judas Priest crew tell us about their ambitious plans for last year’s Nostradamus album. We show you some exclusive never-before-seen AC/DC pictures. And the results are in for the Metal Hammer readers poll.

Also in the mag, we head to North Wales to get twatted at Hard Rock Hell II with Black Label Society (amongst others, ahem); we track the story of Biff Byrford, Saxon’s iconic frontman; and tell you how Kreator’s classic ‘To Kill For’ came to be.

On the CD is brand new music from Deathstars, Lacuna Coil, Unearth, Exodus and Darkthrone. There’s also some awesome NWOTM (New Wave Of Trad Metal) from Enforcer, Diamond Drive and Firebrand Superrock.

And don’t forget that each issue comes complete with your very own Defenders Of The Faith metal badge! Don’t forget your tour tickets online!

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